Welcome to Pathfields Medical Group Student Health page!
If you are new to the area, welcome to Plymouth and we hope this page helps to navigate you through the healthcare we can offer as your local medical group. Our aim is to make the transition as smooth as possible, highlighting your care options in the area.
We welcome any feedback you may have (positive / negative!) we would like to hear about your experience at d-icb.pathfieldsfeedback@nhs.net
Where are we? When are we open?
Pathfields Medical Group runs surgeries throughout the Plymouth area, from central town to the outskirts of Plympton. We have 6 sites in total which allows our patients more flexibility to where they are seen. Currently due to the Covid-19 situation we have had to close two of our sites, Armada and Efford Surgery, to the public in order to care for our shielding patients and at risk staff members. All patients are triaged before any face to face appointments to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.
Locations of Surgeries and Opening Times
Social Media
You can find us here on Facebook and over here on Twitter
Follow us for up to date information on all things Pathfields and General Healthcare
Registration
Let’s start with Registration. To register with the Practice you will need to download and complete our registration form: Patient Registration form
In order to get to know you and your healthcare needs we ask all patients to complete a New Patient Questionnaire. After you have completed the forms, they can be attached to an email and sent to pathfields.practice@nhs.net with copies of 2 forms of identification (ID). One of these must contain your current address (e.g. tenancy agreement, bank statement), and the other must have your photograph (e.g. driving license or passport). There is no need to attend the Practice.
Contact Us
The NHS App
The NHS App. The only App you need to manage your General Practice care.
You can use the NHS App to:
- get advice about coronavirus – get information about coronavirus and find out what to do if you think you have it
- order repeat prescriptions – see your available medicines, request a new repeat prescription and choose a pharmacy for your prescriptions to be sent to
- book appointments – search for, book and cancel appointments at your GP surgery, and see details of your upcoming and past appointments
- check your symptoms – search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments, and get instant advice or medical help near you
- view your medical record – securely access your GP medical record, to see information like your allergies and your current and past medicines
- register your organ donation decision – choose to donate some or all of your organs and check your registered decision
- find out how the NHS uses your data – choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning
Online Services
Save yourself the wait on our busy phone lines and control your appointments from your phone. With our Online Services you can book, amend and cancel your own appointments, update your contact details, order your repeat medication and leave your comments and suggestions for the Practice. For more information on how to register click here: Register for Online Services.
Your Mental Health
Emotional distress or mental health problems can affect us all and is in many ways it’s a very normal thing; with 1 in 4 of us struggling with something every year. Sometimes our emotions become overwhelming and we need some help and the good news is that there are lots of services there to support you.
Your GP should be the first port of call when you are thinking about medication to help with mood or when you feel unsafe and at risk of self-harm, suicide or feel you are a risk to others.
Your University may have access to counselling and emotional support services and it is often helpful to speak to your tutors to see what services they can offer. There are also other services in Plymouth which you can contact directly for support. Check out our list of Mental Health Resources here.
Kooth is an online mental well-being service for young people aged between 11 and 25. It is a free, confidential and anonymous online support and counselling service which includes self-help resources, magazine articles, links to crisis support, safeguarded and monitored live drop-in sessions and also 1-1 scheduled counselling with qualified professionals. Young people can self-refer or referrals can be arranged through a GP.
The Suicide Prevention Network is especially focused on people in our communities who are at increased risk and struggling. Their website also has resources to support those who have reached crisis point and also for those who may be concerned for someone else – a friend, family member or colleague.
Sick notes / Fit Notes / Admin Requests
If a time occurs that you require a sick note (Med3) we advise that you get in touch with the surgery via Patient Triage. We require the date you need the sick note to start from and the medical reason you are unable to work.
Please note that you are required to provide a self-certification form, available from your employer for the first 7 days of sickness. Your GP is unable to provide a sick note for the first 7 days.
Sexual Health and Pregnancy
We offer a range of sexual health services within Pathfields including:
- Contraception and contraception advice (Pathfields Medical Group are part of the C-Card scheme for free condoms and sexual health advice for under 25’s)
- Emergency contraception and emergency contraception advice
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital warts
- Testing and counselling for HIV and AIDS
If you need advice and support with a sexual health matter or you think you have a problem you would like to discuss, please call the surgery or complete a Patient Triage.
For more information of local services available to you in the Plymouth area click this link: Sexual Health in Plymouth or visit SHiP
If you have discovered that you are pregnant, you may have some questions.
Appointments with the midwife can be booked by telephoning 07780684761 between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, but if you wish to speak to a midwife or Doctor before your appointment please speak to our reception team.
If you need to check your dates, you can use the NHS due date calculator.
If you would like to discuss your options with your GP, request a telephone call back or send an Patient Triage. Pregnancy Advisory is also available through the SHiP website here: Pregnancy Advice. You do not need to deal with this alone.
International Students
International Students are encouraged to register with the Practice of their choosing to be able to access all NHS services during their time in the UK.
Registration details can be found here: Registration Link
For translation requirements we recommend Google Translate and actively use Language line in the surgery. If you require assistance with translation please inform our reception team upon booking so we can organise this for you.
Local Pharmacies
To find your local pharmacy we recommend searching via the NHS site Find a Pharmacy.
The rota for the duty (out of hours) pharmacy changes regularly so we encourage patients to check the Find a Pharmacy website before venturing out to your local one after working hours.
Once you have located your local pharmacy, please update the surgery to your preferred option and we will update your records to reflect this choice. Your prescriptions will then go automatically, virtually, to your preferred pharmacy.
Vaccinations
Meningitis Now – supporting-students
Dental
There is no need to register with a dentist in the same way as with a GP because you are not bound to a catchment area. Simply find a dental surgery that’s convenient for you, whether it’s near your home or work, and phone them to see if there are any appointments available.
You can search for an NHS dentist near you on this site. Should you require Emergency Dental Treatment find further information here: Emergency Dental Treatment
Out of Hours
If you find yourself needing care out of surgery working hours there are a few options available to you. Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk if you require medical assistance or advice and it is not an emergency.
Minor Injuries
The Urgent Treatment Centre Cumberland (Damerel Close Plymouth PL1 4JZ) is open every day (08:30 – 22:00, Thursdays 09:00 – 22:00) to treat you if you have an injury which isn’t life-threatening, but still requires urgent treatment.
Their team of nurse practitioners have undertaken specialist training and are able to assess, diagnose and treat patients of all ages (x-ray facilities available 09:00 – 20:45).
Examples of the problems they can see you for:
- Cuts – use of glue, steristrips (paper stitches) or sutures to close wounds
- Small burns or scalds
- Bites and stings
- Sprains and certain fractures (upper and lower limbs)
- Minor head injuries
- Infected wounds
- Foreign bodies in eyes
You don’t need to pre-book an appointment, just drop-in to the unit between 08:30 and 21:00 (from 09:00 on Thursdays). On-site parking is free. If you are unsure whether the UTC is the right place for your treatment, please dial 01752 434390 for advice on which service is most appropriate for your specific needs.
Emergency Department
The local Emergency Department in Plymouth is located at Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 8DH. Phone: (01752 202082)
The current waiting time for A&E can be found here: Waiting Times A&E
Coronavirus
If you think you might have coronavirus or you’ve been in close contact with someone who has it visit NHS 111 online coronavirus service for advice.
We will keep you updated on progress with regard to COVID19 by posting local and national resources on our social media and on our website. Please be reassured we have implement additional infection control measure when visiting the surgery please see here Covid-19 Pathfields
For many patients, the Covid19 lock down will have had an impact on their Mental Health and there are lots of resources available to help with this. Just click on the links below to access the information:-
Every Mind Matters has excellent resources on mental well-being specifically tailored to the impact of Covid for those who are working from home, those who feel lonely and isolated, those who are struggling with home schooling as well as those who are anxious about the virus itself.
For government advice on staying safe outside your home go to gov.uk/staying-safe-outside-your-home
Test Results
Patients are advised to contact the surgery for routine test results a minimum of 48 hours after testing. Our reception team can deal with test results after 2pm. This structure allows time for results to be downloaded, processed by the GP and made available to our reception team to assist you with a result response. If you wish to make an appointment to discuss results, this request needs to be made after 2pm.
Results are also available via Patient Triage. Simply follow the administration links which will take you to the correct form to complete.
Smear Testing
Cervical Screening is regularly monitored for women aged 25 – 64 years. Once registered with the Practice, your screening invitation letters will be sent to you in the post. These invite letters are sent from NHS Wiltshire Screening. When you have received your invitation letter it is then that you can call the surgery to book your smear test. If you have any concerns before you are 25 please get in contact with your Doctor to discuss.
NHS Page – Guide to getting medical care as a student
